Corsair Vengeance 1500 v2 or 1400

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HappyFishFace

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Nov 26, 2013
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I need a microphone, and a gaming headset seems like the way to go. (for convenience, comfort, positional audio, etc) After looking through lots of reviews the Corsair Vengeance models seem to be one of the best choices, especially for a sub 100 dollar system. However, I cant decide between the two different models (1500 v2 and 1400). Would my motherboard's (msi g45 z87) built in audio (realtek 1150 with 600Ω amp) be a better soundcard than the one built into the 1500v2? Another thing to consider is the fact that the 1400 would allow me to upgrade, while the v2 would keep me locked. But would I even get a significant upgrade from improving the soundcard with the 1400? Are there other options? (under about 100 dollars)

Any and all information is always useful. Thanks.
 
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nostall
Koss makes good equipment,but I think the 1400's might be a bit better sounding, and would allow a better path to upgrade.
(Just so you know, I like Koss equipment; and my wife gave me a pair of Koss Professional Stereo cans about 30 years ago and I literally wore them out.
Just a another thought: Are you planning this purchase/upgrade from a local retailer/big-box store? If so (and now I am thinking of Best Buy, but there are others) you could buy the 1400's and try them and compare them to your UR40's. Try to determine if there is any sound quality difference, listen for any "noise" from the electronics and electrical parts of the mobo (usually low level hizz or pops-n-crackles). Then return the 1400's in a couple days and try the...
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nostall

nostall

Splendid
Nov 28, 2012
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The 1500 uses the USB sound controller for sound and should not draw sound from your motherboard or discrete sound chip/card: my understanding is that the sound through USB is delivered directly from the program or game via USB and/or the CPU.
The 1400 will use your motherboards on-board sound chip, and my understanding is that the Realtek 1150 produces pretty good sound.
Don't know if adding a discrete sound card would improve the sound of games, YouTube videos, and other misc. sounds, but it will improve music that is streamed at studio quality: however, the cans (headphones) might not be good enough to pick-up or reproduce that increase as they are engineered primarily for gaming.
To truly hear the difference you might need a pair of audiophile/studio quality headphones. And they must plug into the 3.5 audio jack.
I switched from USB mid to high end headsets (ear phones and mic. all in one) several years ago and went with some Sennheiser HD280s (studio quality)and it made a big difference in the audio of everything;
Much bigger difference then when I switched from on-board to Creative X-Fi card.

UPDATE: Geez, I know I am tired when I ramble on as in the above.
I would probably get the 1400's and try them for awhile, kinda get used to them. Then see if you can find a pair of audiophile/studio headphone to try and see if you can tell the difference. A simple desk mic. for gaming will run about $10 bucks, maybe a little more.
(Gotta remember not to write answers immediately after work. Hope all this helps you.)
 
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H

HappyFishFace

Honorable
Nov 26, 2013
5
0
10,510
What I'm using now is a pair of Koss UR-40's. Would that be a good comparison to the vengeance 1400 or should i look for a higher quality set. I know that the UR-40's aren't that expensive but they are supposedly good headphones. (I have no method of comparison though, so i have to trust others). Also are you saying that the my on-board audio would be better that the 1500v2s on-board audio? Or just that the upgradabilty would make the 1400 a better choice. And I'm fine with rambles btw, lots of information, and some of it may be useful in the future. Also, yes the UR-40's use a 3.5 mm jack
 
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nostall

nostall

Splendid
Nov 28, 2012
3,244
12
23,865
Koss makes good equipment,but I think the 1400's might be a bit better sounding, and would allow a better path to upgrade.
(Just so you know, I like Koss equipment; and my wife gave me a pair of Koss Professional Stereo cans about 30 years ago and I literally wore them out.
Just a another thought: Are you planning this purchase/upgrade from a local retailer/big-box store? If so (and now I am thinking of Best Buy, but there are others) you could buy the 1400's and try them and compare them to your UR40's. Try to determine if there is any sound quality difference, listen for any "noise" from the electronics and electrical parts of the mobo (usually low level hizz or pops-n-crackles). Then return the 1400's in a couple days and try the 1500's.
I had to do this with video cards a few years ago just to see if it was going to be worth an upgrade; I found that the upgrade path I was following wasn't worth it so I waited a few months 'til cards improved.
Same might happen with your audio.
 
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H

HappyFishFace

Honorable
Nov 26, 2013
5
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10,510


Yes I am planning to purchase from Best Buy (on Black Friday or Cyber Monday), so I could do that. I would have to deal with returns but overall that seems like the best solution. Thank you for your time and expertise.
 
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nostall

nostall

Splendid
Nov 28, 2012
3,244
12
23,865


You are very welcome and thank you. Best Buy has a 14 day return policy now (it changed about 6-8 months, maybe a little longer, ago). I think you'll like the 1400's.
Hope you had a great Thankgiving, wishing you a great Christmas season!
 
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